Of Harriston passed away at the Caressant Care, Harriston on Sunday June 11, 2023, in her 95th year. Elizabeth was predeceased by her husband of 70 years Clifford Gamble in 2020 and her infant daughter Alice Gamble in 1952. She is survived by her daughter Ann Avery and her husband Ken, her son Murray Gamble and wife Terry Ann and her granddaughter Haley Gamble all who reside in Kitchener- Waterloo. Elizabeth is also survived by her sister Freda Reid of Guelph. Elizabeth was born in the former West Garafraxa Township (now the Township of Wellington North) in 1928 and spent the early years of her life with her father Fred Shaw, her mother Agnes Shaw and her sister Freda on the family farm. As a young adult she moved to Arthur and worked at the Royal Bank of Canada. In 1949 Elizabeth married Clifford Gamble and they began a 70 year loving partnership together. In 1957 when Cliff became co-proprietor of the Arthur John Deere dealership (Shaw Implement) with his nephew Bob Shaw, Elizabeth took on the role of the company bookkeeper. She was active in the community volunteering with many organizations, all while raising a young family and caring for her elderly mother. In 1971 the family moved to Harriston, where Cliff and Elizabeth purchased the local Home Hardware store and gift shop. Elizabeth was in the store helping customers almost every day and many evenings were spent balancing the company books. She was a long-time member of St. George’s Anglican church, volunteering to help with everything from the choir to the annual rummage sales. Elizabeth was also an active fundraiser for the Canadian Cancer Society and the Heart and Stroke Foundation. In 1985 Cliff and Elizabeth sold the store and retired, although both would stay very active for many years after. Elizabeth was a caring mother and devoted grandmother always ready to bake one of her famous apple pies at the drop of a hat if she felt there wasn’t enough dessert. She loved people and enjoyed visiting and talking for hours with friends and family. She was always interested in current events and was a very independent woman long before the women’s liberation movement had been conceived. Her competitive streak would surface whenever a deck of euchre cards or a crokinole board came out, she didn’t like to lose. In her later years Elizabeth spent at least an hour every evening on the phone talking to family and friends to get “the news of the day”. She loved to be up to date on what was happening around town and abroad. Life was never the same after losing her husband Cliff in 2020, they were an inseparable duo for most of their lives. Elizabeth spent her last years in the Caressant Care Long Term Care facility in Harriston, where she was always quick to start up a conversation with residents and staff. The family would like to thank Dr. Mary Jo Calarco and the staff of the Caressant Care Home for providing loving, compassionate care for Elizabeth over the past few years. Visitation will be held at the Hardy-Lee Funeral Home, Harriston, on Thursday from 5 to 8pm. A memorial service will be held at the funeral home on Friday June 16, 2023 at 11:00am. The service will be live streamed, and the link available on the funeral home website. Interment will follow in Greenfield Cemetery, Arthur. In lieu of flowers, donations to the Canadian Cancer Society, The Heart and Stroke Foundation or Palmerston and District Hospital would be greatly appreciated. Online condolences may be left at www.hardyleefuneralhome.com
